Adjustable wrench



i March 8, 1932. l H. NELSON 1,848,793

ADJUSTABLE WRENCH Filed Jan. 31.-' 1929 PEP h Patented Mar. 8, 1932 HAROLD NELSON', OF WINDSOR, ILLINOIS Y ADJUSTABLE WRENCH Application med January s1, 1929. 'serial No. 336,573.

This invention relates to improvements in adjustable wrenches, and` has for oneof lts principalV objects the provision of a wrenchvr adapted to readily grip and turn objects to be worked upon, such as nuts, bolts, pieces of pipe, and the like.

One of the principal objects of `this invention is to provide a wrench suitable for use with pipes which will automatically grip 1o the pipe and retain a iirm hold upon the cylindrical surface of the same. i Y Another and further important object of this invention is the provision of a quick release means whereby after the turning action upon the pipe has been accomplished, the grip of the wrenchwill be immediately and automatically released so as to enable either the ready withdrawal of the wrench or another grip for additional turning movement.

of this invention is to provide a wrench for pipes or the like which will be readily adjustable to practically any size of pipe while at the same time embodying the quickgripping and automatic release features heretofore described. Y

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and following specification. v

' rlhe invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings: Y Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved adjustable wrench of this invention.

Figure 2 is a similar veiw, partly in section, illustrating the details of construction. Figure 3 is a top plan view of the wrench. As shown in the drawings:

in the face of the same,` these teeth being in Still another and further important object.-

rlhe reference numeral 10 indicates gener-` ally the handle of the wrench, preferably prothe form of downwardly inclined notches as illustrated. Y' Y The jaw member Y14 is formed withtwo openings therein, one transverse and one longitudinal, the longitudinalv opening' serving to receive the threaded shank 18 of a corresponding jaw member 20, theface of which Vis provided with notches or gripping elements 22, these being cut upwardly, as shown ,A inthe drawings, to form a reverse gripping surface as compared lwith the notches 16. In the transverse opening of the jaw 14 is positioned a knurled adjusting nut 24 which is interiorly screw-threaded and fitted upon the shank 18. Obviously, a rotation of the knurled rnut 24 will cause an adjustment of the distance between the-gripping faces 16 and 22 of the jaws 14 and 20 respectively.

The shank 18 has a longitudinal slot 26 formed therein and in this slot is fitted a pin or the like 28 which slides readily in the same and the ends of which are mounted in the links 30 which extend upwardly adjacent the shoulder formed in the rear of the jaw ele- Y ment 14.,.and moved 'in countersunk grooves 32 provided therefor inthe handlellO adjacent the said shoulder. j

y Pivotally attached to the upper ends ofthe links 30 by means of pins or rivets 34 are the K ends of a. bifurcated lever 36 which is pivotally mounted at 38 by means of a bolt or the like passing through the handle 10.

A leafspring 40 is positionedupon the upper face of the handle in such a manner Y,

as to normally force the lever 36 outwardly from the handle, the'end of the leaf'spring 40 being curved as shown at 42, and operating in a slot 44 formed inthe underface of the released, thereby serving to immediately eliminate the gripping action of the jaws 14 and 20 upon the object to which they have beenapplied.

loo

It Will be noted that the shank 18 passes through a rather closely fitting opening in the javv 14 so as to provide a pivotal action over the points 46 and 48 as best illustrated in Figure 2.

It Will be apparent that herein is provided an adjustable Wrench Which is practically automatic in its operation both as to gripping and release action as a pull on the lever 36 will immediately act to draw the shank 18'- closer to the handle lO of the Wrench, thereby forcing the jaws 14 and 2O together With a combined leverage whereby an enormous gripping force is immediately available. Again, the gripping force is immediately released as soon as any turning effort upon the Wrench handle ceases.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of construction varied throughout a Wide range Without departing from the spirit of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention: Y

An adjustable Wrench, including a handle, a pair of jaws, one jaw relatively movable, and the other integral with the handle, means for adjusting the distance between the jaws, said means comprising a screw-threaded shank on the movable jaw passing through an opening in the iixed jaw, said opening being at right angles to the operating face of the ja-W and behind the same, an adjusting nut on the screw-threaded shank, said adjusting nut operating in an opening in the l'ixed jaw, said opening being substantially parallel to the operating face of the jaw, a link, a cross pin in the link, said cross pin operating in a slot in the screw-threaded shaft, a Vlever mounted on the Wrench handle and substantially parallel thereto, one end of the lever being pivotally connected to the aforesaid link, said lever and link constituting means for turning said movable javv with the nut fulcruming in said opening.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HARGLD NELSGN. 

